A comparison of three methods used for treatment of ranula.

PURPOSE: This report compares the treatment results for oral and plunging ranulas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were retrospectively examined concerning treatment methods and recurrence on the basis of their medical records. The surgical specimens were also examined microscopically.

RESULTS: Four patients had excision of the ranula only, 22 had marsupialization, and nine had removal of the sublingual gland combined with the excision of the ranula. These treatments showed a 25.0%, 36.4% and 0% recurrence rate, respectively. Histological observation revealed no epithelial lining in any of the examined specimens.

CONCLUSIONS: Removal of the sublingual gland combined with the ranula was the most reliable method among the above three used.